Rail anchor



July 17, 1923.

L. J. BERKELEY 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1,462,162 L. J. BERKELEY RAIL ANCHOR July17, 1923. r v

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 19. 1921 UNIT I 1,462,162 PATENT, OFFICE.

LAURENCE J'. BERKELEY, OF IVHLWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ,ASSIGNOR TO THE P86 M COM- PANY, orciuoaeo, ILLINOIS, A'GORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

RAIL ANCHOR.

. Application filed January 19, 1921. Serial No. 438,462.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAURENCE J. Briann- LEY, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of VViscon'sin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail Anchors, o l which tlfe following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices .for resisting the tendency of railroad rails to creep longitudinally, and has for its object to provide an improved device o't-this character which may be conveniently applied to a rail so as to firmly gripthe rail and to maintain said gripping action by tensioning one of the members of the device during the application of the device to the rail. v

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an improved anchor device of the above character consisting of a member and a spring member, the latter of which is tensioned during its application to the rail to exert a twisting pressure on the aw member to insurethe jaw member taking a firm shackle hold o-nthe upper and lower surfaces of the rail base, andto so form the jaw and spring members that the spring member will exert a downward pressure agz'tinst the jaw member and an upward pressure against the rail base, and when in its applied position will assume an angular position with relation to the portion of the jaw member with which it engages, adapted to prevent the jaw member from backing off the rail or otherwise-loosening its firm grip on the rail. I a

It another object of my invention to arrange the-parts in such manner that the pressure off the anchor against the tie when the rail tends to creep serves to rock the anchor about axis extendingtransversely of the -';ail.i-n the same direction as that in which the spring tends to rock the anchor.

The invention has for further objects such other novel arrangements, constructions and combinations of parts relating to rail anchor devices as will be herein more specifically. described and claimed;

The invention illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the wherein-e v Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of arail anchor device constructed in accordance with my invention applied in its operative position on the base flange of a rail;

accompanying drawings Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken through the rall, showing the rear face of aj aw member and illustrating the configuration or" the spring-yoke member when the same is tensioned; 1 I

Fig. 3 is a side view in elevation of the structure shown in'Figure. 2, the view being,

taken from a point at the left of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of a rigid aw member forming a part of my invenn;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a railroad rail showing the jaw member and spring yoke applied in the positions which they-assume before the spring yoke is tensioned as shown in Fig. 2; and

;Fig. 6 is an end view, partly in section, showing the arrangement of the jaw and spring yoke members shown in Fig. 5, before the spring yoke member is rotated to its operative position. 1

Like characters of reference designate like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates a railroad rail and 11 one of the cross tie on which the rail is supported.

The rail anchoring device shown in the drawings consists preferably of a aw member 12, made of cast metal or any other suitable material, and a spring member 13 which is inserted between a portion of the aw member and the rail base and is adapted whennn its operative position to engage oppositeed ges of the rail base and exert spring pressure against the jaw member and rail base.

The jaw member 12 is provided witha recessed portion. 14 whichfits over the upper and lower surfaces of one of the base flanges of the rail 10, and is formed. with a portion 15 projecting towards the cross-tie 11. I The portion 15 of the jaw member is provided with a foot 16 adapted to abut against one of the vertical faces of the cross-tie. The portion l6 of the jaw member is preferably so arranged with relation to the end 17 ot the recess 14 that it assumes a position under the rail base a short distance from the edge of the same when the jaw member is in its applied position. i

The spring member consists of a, prefer ably, round bar 13 having one of its ends bent as shown at 18 to stand at an obtuse angle with relation to the body portion of the bar, and is formed at the otherend with a, preferably, though not necessarily, sharp bend 19.

hen the anchor is in its applied position, the angular portion 18 engages the lower edge of the rail base flange on which the jaw member 12 is fitted, and the angular portion 19 engages the opposite edge of the rail base. The angle of the body portion of the spring member 13. is such that in moving the spring member to its proper position, it is bent from its normally straight position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, to substantially a configuration shown in full lines in this figure. lVhen in this position, the body of the spring stands preferably at an angle greater than that of the inclination of the upper surface of the base flange, so that the dimension B will be greater than the di mension C, and thereby provides reliable means of resisting any tendency that the jaw member 1.2 may have to back off the base flange.

When applying the device to a rail, the jaw member 12 is driven on one of the base flanges of the rail with its tie-abutting foot 16 in engagement with one of the vertical faces of the tie. The spring member 13 is then arranged with the bent or angular portions 1819 extending towards the tie, in which position the end 18 may be passed between the portion 15 of the jaw member and the rail base so as to assume a position substantially as shown in Figs. 5 and G. The jaw member 12 is preferably cut away as shown at 20 to provide the necessary clearance to permit the end 18 to pass be tween the jaw portion and the tie-abutting foot. The spring member, when. placed in its initial position, may then be rotated by means of a suitable wrench or track tool, until the bent or angular portions 18, 19 stand in a substantially vertical position, shown in Figs. 2 and 3. During the rotation of the spring member, the body of the spring will be tensioned as indicated in Fig. 2, and the angular portion 18 of the spring will, preferably, be moved to a position slightly past the vertical center line of the spring (Fig. 3) so that the tension of the spring will-hold it in place and exert a spring pressure against the portion 15 of the jaw member and the opposite edges of the rail base. By tensioning the spring member 1.3 ,in this manner, it will be seen that the spring pressure exerted against. the rail and the jaw member, in addition to providing a firm spring' grip of the member 13 on opposite edges of the rail base, will also tend to rock the jaw member 12 on a horizontal axis and thereby increase its grip on the upper and lower surfaces of the rail. The amount of rocking movement of the jaw, member will, of course, depend uponthe looseness'of the recess 1 on the base flange The recess will preferably have a driven grip on the base flange of perfectly formed rails, but under such conditions it is desirable to provide spring pressure, such as above described, to maintain the jaw member in its applied position. If the thickness of the rail base be less than normal, or the recess of the aw member be wider than intended, due to imperfections in the casting, or other causes, the jaw member will be rocked by said spring pressure so that it will take a firm shackle hold on the rail base. With this operation in view, I preferably provide the tie-abutting foot with a curved surface 22, so that the foot will bear firmly against the tie when the aw member is in an angular position.

Sofar as I am aware, I am the first in the art to provide a jaw member adapted to rock about an axis extending transversely of the rail without interference of any other parts of the anchor so as to have a shackle hold on the top and bottom faces of one flange of'the rail, in combination with a spring, either formed separately from the jaw member or otherwise, tending to rock the anchor in the direction for tightening said shackle hold. By reason of this construction, the pressure of the anchor against the tie when the rail tends to creep and the pressure of the spring both tend to rock the anchor in the same direction for tightening the shackle hold on the flange, rather than in opposite directions. In this way, the pressure of the anchor on the tie and the spring pressure cooperate for securing the desired tightening of the anchor on the flange rather than being in opposition. The result is that, when the anchor is canted to its extreme position in assuming the tightened engagement under the heaviest traffic conditions, the tendency is to loosen the spring pressure rather than to distort the spring beyond the limit of its resiliency, as might possibly be done in extreme cases when the spring acts in opposition to the tightening effect of the creeping tendency.

While I have described my invention in a specific embodiment, it will be obvious that structural changes might be made without departing from th e spirit of my invention. It will therefore be understood that I do notlimit myself to the precise structure shown and described, except in so far as specific limitations may appear in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A rail anchor comprising a jaw member and a spring interposed between said jaw member and the rail, and adapted to be strained in its application to the rail to exert spring pressure against an edge of the rail adjacent said jaw member.

2A rail anchor comprising a jaw member and a spring member extending under the base of the rail, and interposed between saidjaw member and the rail and adapted to be strained in its application to the rail to exert spring pressure against opposite edges of the rail base. i

3; A rail anchor comprising a jaw ber adapted to be fitted over the edge of ase flanges of a rail, and a spring f e steel member'exte'ndingunder and engaging v opposite edges of-sai'drail'base; and adapt ed to be amine- 1 in its applied pos adn,

whereby it exerts spring ressureagainst said jaw member and the under surface of the rail base. i

5; A rail anchor comprising a jaw menber adapted to befitted over he edge bf one of the base flanges of a rail, anda spring steel member extending under and engaging opposite edges of said rail base and adapted to be strained in its applied position so as to "exert spring pressure against said jaw member to increase its grip on the rail. 4

6. A rail anchor co prising a jaw niember adapted to be fitted'ova -oneedge of'a- 'r ail base and a spring ine nber extending under and engaging opposite edges of the rail and "adapted to be strained whe'n'in its applied position to exert spring pressure against said'j aw member andrail' whereby said jaw is biased toward an angular position to increase itsgrip on the rail,

7. A rail anchor com rising a jaw ember adapted to be fitted over one edge of a rail base and a spring member 'eitehdi'iig under and en aging o'pposite edges of the rail and adapted to bestr'aine'd in its appl'iedpolsition to exert spring" pressure against said 45 r 'ai'i'd rail whereby said jaw inane-eied toward ana'nguIa'r position tfo'eiie'ct a shades-1101a on the up er and lower s'u1--' '8; A i-a'ilanchor comprisin jaw nrmber adapted to be fitted ov'ei'" one edge of a ran strained in its applied position to the'rail to lock saidjaw member against lateral movement on the rail and to lock it on a ae'rizental axis to-efi e'ct ashaek le (a saidj-awen-the rail. i I 10. A rail anchor comprising a jaw'mem ber adapted to engage Wi Q a r-afljbase, and a s rin member engaging apposite eageaor therail base and adapted to be strained itsapphed passionto lock saidjawimember against longitudinal and lateral movement entire 'r'ailj '11. A rail anchor com rising a jaw m m; I

ber adapted to'engag'e'ivith oneed-ge of a rail base, spring" member engaging eppesite edges of therai-l base and adapted to'b'e distorted during its apphcatibn were railto lock said j awmem'b'e'r in itsapplied pisifiohz a A 12. A rail anchor comprising aj'aw mem ber adapted teeagagewithone edge of a rail base, and aspring 'niember enga ing apposite edges-of the rail base and adapted to be distorted Vertically during its'application to'the rail to lock saidjaw ,member in its applied position. o 1 I3; Arail anchor comprising "a jaw member'adapte'd to engage with oneedge of a frail base, and a spring member adapted to be distorted vertically durin its applicaeon to the rail to exert" spring pressure against'said jaw meinber ancrrail' spas to ihai-iita'in afirliljl shaciil' e grip of the member on .th'e rail and to proi ide' 'an ob structio'n which locks thefjaw" member against movement laterally 'on the'rail.

be farmed-'- with, a, tie-abutting reat and a sp ng m mber adapted to be rotated intq aaapiedto. ion-1"; the, jawhremberkon therail as 7 a 15 rai'lfanch'or coin arising a ni'elnbar; fcrmed wi'th tie-a 'uttii g" foot and "a spring member ac'l'a'ptetl-"tb interposed be; tween sa id jaw member and'the base ofa rail sai-c1 sprmginein bjer being formed with sag -any clis'posed' ran-engaging. screens and adapted fto be tefnsioned during itsap} a spring member adapted to be "interpesea between said jaw member and the base of a rail, said spring member being formed with angularly disposed end portions to engage opposite edges of the rail base, and adapted to be tensioned during its application to the rail.

17 A rail anchor comprising a jaw member formed with a tie-abutting projection and a spring member adapted to be interposed between said projection and the base of a rail; said spring member being formed I with angularly disposed end portions which;

i in their initial position extend toward a tie her to fit over one edge of'a rail base, and a spring member interposed between said jaw member and rail base formed with'angularly disposed ends which in the initial position of the spring extend substantially longitudinally of the rail and assume a substantially vertical position when the device is fully applied; said spring member being adapted to be moved from itsinitial position to its ap plied position by a rotational movement and to be tensioned during its applicationto its operative position.

. 19. A rail anchor comprising a jaw member to fit over one edge only of a rail base, and a spring member interposed between said jaw member and rail base formed with angularly disposed ends which engage opposite edges of the rail base.

20. A rail anchor comprising a jaw memher to fit over one edge only of a railbase, and a spring member interposed between the said jaw member and rail base formed .with angularly disposed ends which in the initial position of the spring extend longitudinally of the rail and assume a substantially vertical position when the device is applied; said spring member being adapted to be moved from its initial position to its applied position by a rotational movement adapted to carry the angularly disposed ends beyond the vertical center of the body of the spring, whereby the spring is tensioned to lock the spring and j aw members in their applied position. I

21. A rail anchor comprising a jaw member adapted to engage with one edge of a rail base, and a spring member interposed between said member and the rail adapted to bias said member to, an angular position to increase its grip on the rail.

22. A rail anchor comprising a aw member adapted to engage with one edge of a rail base, and a spring member interposed between said member and the rail and adapted to exert spring pressure against an edge of the rail base adjacent said jaw member, whereby said jaw member is biased toward an angular positionto increase its grip on the rail. I j

23. A rail anchor comprising a jaw member adapted to rock about an axis extending transversely of a rail to have a shackle hold on the top and bottom faces of one flange 0t thevrail, in contact with a tie, and spring means tending to rock the anchor in the direction for tightening said shackle hold.

24. A railanchor comprising a jaw member adapted to rock about an axis extending transversely of a rail to have a shackle hold on the top and bottom faces of one flange of the rail, in contact with a tie, and spring means tending to rockthe anchor about a transverse axis, the arrangement vbeing such that the pressure of the anchor against the tie when the rail tends to. creep serves to loosen the. spring pressure on the rail. 1

25. A rail anchor comprising a jaw member adapted to rock about an axis extending transversely of a rail to have a shackle hold on the top and bottom faces of one flangeot the rail, in contact with a tie, and spring means tending to rock the anch'orabout a transverse axis, the arrangement being such that the pressure oi the anchor against the tie when the rail tends to creep and the pressure of the spring both tend to rock the anchor in the same direction for tightening the shackle hold on the flange.

26. A rail anchor comprising a jaw member adapted to rock about an axis extending transversely of a rail to have a shackle hold on the top and bottom faces of one flange of the rail, in contact with a tie, and spring means tending to rock the anchor in the direction for tightening said shackle hold, the anchor comprising also means for holding the jaw member from backing off of the flange transversely. I

27. A rail anchor comprising a aw member adapted to rock about an axis extending transversely of a rail to have a shackle hold on the'top and bottom faces of one flange of the rail, in contact with a tie, and spring means tending to rock the anchor in the direction for tightening said shackle holdand also serving to prevent the jaw member from backing off of the flange transversely.

LAURENCE 'J. BERKELEY.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,462,162, granted July 17, 1923,

upon the application 'of Laurence J. Berkeley, of Milwaukee, Visconsin, for an lmprovement 1n Rail Anchors, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 64, claim 9, for the Word lock read rock; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed andsealed this 11th day of September, A. D., 1923.

[SEAL] KARL FENNING,

. Acting Commissioner of Patents. 7 

